Mark J. Terrill/Associated PressTodd Boeckman said he had no problem with the quarterback rotation during Saturday's loss to Southern California, but some of his offensive teammates said they were surprised of coach Jim Tressel's shuttling of Boeckman and freshman Terrelle Pryor.

"There's always competition for playing time," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "I don't know about the starting spot or any of that business. But we're going to go back and evaluate everything. ... I guess I don't know the answer to that question."

Frankly, given Tressel's affinity for seniors, seeing freshman Terrelle Pryor start as the Buckeyes (2-1) gather themselves to host Troy on Saturday would be something of a surprise. But certainly both Pryor and senior quarterback Todd Boeckman will play, so Tressel's quarterback rotation could use a little tweaking.

The coach went from playing Pryor for several series of his own in the season's first week, to playing him barely at all in the second week, to sometimes subbing in a quarterback on nearly every play in L.A. But so far he hasn't tried Pryor as a red zone or third-down situational quarterback, attempting to maximize his skills when it makes the most sense instead of just sharing the gig in whatever rotation. Even going into the game of the year against USC, the other Buckeyes weren't certain what the QB plan was.

"We knew he was going to come in, but we didn't know to what effect," left guard Ben Person said. "We didn't know how much he was going to play. I think it shocked everybody a little bit."

One week after playing eight out of 68 snaps (12 percent) against Ohio, Pryor played 25 of 64 snaps (39 percent) against the Trojans. In neither game did the Buckeyes' offense look crisp, though Pryor averaged almost twice as many yards per play Saturday (5.1 to 2.8) as Boeckman. Aside from the first rotating drive, it worked no better than the series by series idea.

Marvin Fong/The Plain DealerTerrelle Pryor averaged more yards per play against the Trojans on Saturday than Todd Boeckman, but the veterans on the offense weren't willing to say he was a better choice to start at QB.

"We discussed it early in the week that maybe the thing to do wasn't to go by series," Tressel said. "This way you're able to talk to both of them in between the time they were in there. We thought it was possible that it was something that could work for us. I guess we'll have to go back and evaluate if it did and if it can."

It did work on OSU's second drive, a 17-play march in which Boeckman was on the field for 11 plays and 48 yards and Pryor took care of five plays and 25 yards.

"I don't think it really bothered me," Boeckman said. "We knew we were going to rotate a little bit. I thought it was working in the first half for a little bit."

Even as Boeckman struggled later, committing three turnovers in the face of a constant rush, Tressel didn't attempt to go with a hot hand or ride a quarterback in Pryor who's far more able to escape pressure. Pryor didn't get a series to himself until OSU's final drive of the game.

So what now?

"I like seeing Terrelle in there, he can make plays," Person said. "But Todd's our quarterback. If [rotating] is the best thing for the team, it's the best thing for the team, but Todd's still our guy. I really like Terrelle and he's a good player and I want him to come in and get some playing experience as well."

"You know, I didn't mind it," left tackle Alex Boone said of the rotation. "Whoever plays better, whoever wants to win, whoever competes, I'm there to play, I'm there to win. And they both do a phenomenal job and I'm proud of both of them."

"If [Pryor] deserves it, he should [play some]," receiver Brian Hartline said. "We'll go back and study the film and see if he did good things, and I'm sure he did. I think a lot of it had to do with the type of defense we were facing."

Ohio State doesn't know what kind of offense it is, especially in the absence of tailback Beanie Wells. It's a work in progress, likely trending in Pryor's direction. Fans this week are sure to clamor for more of the freshman. Tressel must strike the right balance without costing the Buckeyes victory while searching for it.

"I'm just here to contribute and do what I can," Pryor said. "It's what Coach Tress says. He's our leader and whatever he says goes."

Boeckman vs. Pryor

Todd Boeckman was at quarterback for 13 more plays than Terrelle Pryor on Saturday night, but Pryor accounted for 22 more yards. And all three OSU turnovers, two interceptions and a fumble, came on Boeckman's watch.

How Ohio State's two-quarterback system broke down against USC (does not include kneeldowns).

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